Search

Background and Aims: Estonia has one of the highest alcohol‐attributable mortality rates within the European Union. The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of an on‐line self‐help intervention to reduce problem drinking at the population level. Design On‐line open randomized controlled trial with an 8‐week intervention and an active control group (intervention n = 303, control n = 286). Assessments took place at baseline and at 6 months follow‐up. Setting: On‐ and offline channels were used for population‐based recruitment within a nation‐wide prevention campaign in Estonia. Participants: Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, heavy drinking [Alcohol Use Disorders Identification (AUDIT) test score ≥ 8], literacy in Estonian and at least weekly access to the internet; n = 589 participants were randomized (50% male, 1% other; mean age 37.86 years; 45% with higher level of education). Intervention and comparator: The intervention consisted of 10 modules based on principles of cognitive–behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. The active control group received access to a website with a self‐test including personalized normative feedback and information for standard alcohol treatment. Measurements The primary outcome was AUDIT scores at 6 months follow‐up adjusted for baseline scores. Findings Intention‐to‐treat analyses were applied. Missing data were addressed by using baseline observation carried forward (BOCF) and multiple imputation by chained equations (MI); 175 completed follow‐up in the intervention group and 209 in the control group. AUDIT score at follow‐up was significantly smaller in the intervention [BOCF mean = 13.91, standard deviation (SD) = 7.61, MI mean = 11.03, SD = 6.55] than control group (BOCF mean = 15.30, SD = 7.31; MI mean = 14.30, SD = 7.21), with a group difference of −1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI) = –2.58, –0.18], P = 0.02 for BOCF and −3.26 (95% CI = –2.01, –4.51), P < 0.001 for MI. Conclusions: A randomized controlled trial has found that an on‐line self‐help intervention with minimal guidance was effective at reducing problem drinking in Estonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Swiss Political Science Review is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the programmatic and institutional reform of the national security field in Switzerland. Also cited are the principles of armed neutrality and autonomous defense as the basis in the creation of the field by the Swiss Defense Ministry, the direct effect of the field to the everyday life of Swiss residents, as well as the expansion of the field's purpose to include integrated peace-building, integrated border management, and transnational organized crime prevention.

Abstract: Background and aims: Given the scarcity of alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatments in many low and middle‐income countries, the World Health Organization launched an e‐health portal on alcohol and health that includes a Web‐based self‐help program. This paper presents the protocol for a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of the internet‐based self‐help intervention to reduce alcohol use. Design: Two‐arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) with follow‐up 6 months after randomization. Setting: Community samples in middle‐income countries. Participants: People aged 18+, with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of 8+ indicating hazardous alcohol consumption. Intervention and comparator: Offer of an internet‐based self‐help intervention, ‘Alcohol e‐Health’, compared with a ‘waiting list’ control group. The intervention, adapted from a previous program with evidence of effectiveness in a high‐income country, consists of modules to reduce or entirely stop drinking. Measurements: The primary outcome measure is change in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score assessed at 6‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes include self‐reported the numbers of standard drinks and alcohol‐free days in a typical week during the past 6 months, and cessation of harmful or hazardous drinking (AUDIT < 8). Analysis: Data analysis will be by intention‐to‐treat, using analysis of covariance to test if program participants will experience a greater reduction in their AUDIT score than controls at follow‐up. Secondary outcomes will be analysed by (generalized) linear mixed models. Complier average causal effect and baseline observations carried forward will be used in sensitivity analyses. Comments: If the Alcohol e‐Health program is found to be effective, the potential public health impact of its expansion into countries with underdeveloped alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatment systems world‐wide is considerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neovascularization of three-dimensional voluminous tissues, such as bone, represents an important challenge in tissue engineering applications. The formation of a preformed vascular plexus could maintain cell viability and promote vascularization after transplantation. We have developed a three-dimensional spheroidal coculture system consisting of human primary endothelial cells and human primary osteoblasts (hOBs) to improve angiogenesis in bone tissue engineering applications. In this study, we investigated the survival and vascularization of the engineered implants in vivo. Endothelial cell spheroids were cocultured with hOBs in fibrin and seeded into scaffolds consisting of processed bovine cancellous bone (PBCB). The cell-seeded scaffolds were evaluated for their angiogenic potential in two different in vivo assays: the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and the severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID) mouse model. In both assays, the development of a complex three-dimensional network of perfused human neovessels could be detected. After subcutaneous implantation into immunodeficient mice, the newly formed human vasculature was stabilized by the recruitment of murine smooth muscle α-actin-positive mural cells and anastomoses with the mouse vasculature. We conclude that this endothelial cell spheroid system can be used to create a network of functional perfused blood vessels in vivo. The finding that this process takes place with high efficacy in the presence of co-implanted primary osteoblasts and in an osteoconductive environment provided by the PBCB scaffold, suggests that this system may be suitable for improving vascularization in bone tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Survival of tissue transplants generated in vitro is strongly limited by the slow process of graft vascularization in vivo. A method to enhance graft vascularization is to establish a primitive vascular plexus within the graft prior to transplantation. Endothelial cells (EC) cultured as multicellular spheroids within a collagen matrix form sprouts resembling angiogenesis in vitro. However, osteoblasts integrated into the graft suppress EC sprouting. This inhibition depends on direct cell–cell-interactions and is characteristic of mature ECs isolated from preexisting vessels. In contrast, sprouting of human blood endothelial progenitor cells is not inhibited by osteoblasts, making these cells suitable for tissue engineering of pre-vascularized bone grafts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It has been recognized that the rate of cutaneous wound healing declines with age, yet the molecular processes that affect this decline remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare reepithelialization and contraction rates, and growth factor profiles in full-thickness wounds in swine of various ages. Multiple full-thickness excisional wounds were created on the dorsum of 24-month-old (n=2), 4-month-old (n=2), and 2-month-old (n=2) Yucatan Minipigs. The extent of reepithelialization was shown to decrease with increasing age in a manner that was statistically significant among the 2-month-old (79%), 4-month-old (48%), and 24-month-old pigs (22%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in the 2- and 4-month-old animals peaked on day 4, reaching levels of 482 pg/ml and 420 pg/ml, respectively. In the 24-month-old pigs the vascular endothelial growth factor concentration peaked later (day 6), and was present at a lower level (229 pg/ml). On day 4 the vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the older pigs reached only 120 pg/ml, representing a four-fold decrease in concentration compared to the younger pigs. A comparison of platelet-derived growth factor-BB concentrations across the age groups showed similar patterns in the 2- and 4-month-old pigs (peaks of 77 and 91 pg/ml on days 2 and 3, respectively), and levels in the 24-month-old were below the sensitivity level (31.5 pg/ml) of the assay. Transforming growth factor-β1 levels across the age groups did not differ in a manner that was statistically significant, and all age groups peaked on day 9. Wound contraction showed no statistical differences among the age groups from days 3 to 9. On day 11, however, wound contraction in 2-month-old pigs was about 10% faster than in 24-month-old pigs (p < 0.05). These data suggest a possible new algorithm for treating wounds in aged skin, by which exogenous growth factors... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the foreign policy and leadership of John F. Kennedy in successfully concluding the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). His unsuccessful test ban initiatives; How he won the test ban initiative in the wake of the Cuban missile crisis; His handling of the domestic opposition; Conclusion.